A Crowning Achievement

The relationship has also grown to include major competitions and for 30 years Rolex has been a sponsor and official timekeeper of the Open Championship. The brand also has strong partnerships with the Masters, the US Open, the Presidents and Solheim Cups as well as the European Ryder Cup team.

Rolex is also very much behind the drive to bring golf into China. Despite the long heritage and traditions associate with golf in the west, just over 25 years ago, the sport was practically non-existent in the world's most populated nation. In 2010 Rolex signed a partnership agreement with the China Golf Association and sponsored the first official translation of the Rules of Golf into Chinese. It marked a determination by the brand, not just to be associated with sport but to further its reach into what is world’s fastest growing and most exciting nation.

It seems inconceivable that when starting out Hans Wildorf could have known his company would have gone on to such success. He died in 1960 though lived to see many of the historical accomplishments his Rolex brand was part of. Now, more than ever, though, the brand represents the absolute last word in quality and precision watch making. With continued determination for innovation and by fostering the future’s explorers, athletes and artists it seems certain that the brand Rolex will remain recognizable for generations to come.